Detachable Endoscope Coupling With Rack-and-Pinion Wire Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes are difficult to disassemble and reassemble due to complex wire connections, leading to inefficient hygiene management and precise manipulation issues.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes a pinion gear and rack gear mechanism that allows for easy detachment and reattachment of the insertion and manipulation parts through a rotatable dial, with wire frames that facilitate precise linear movement of the wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the endoscope is separated into disposable insertion unit and reusable operating unit, then hygiene management efficiency is improved, but wire detachment and reattachment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two separable units: a disposable insertion unit and a reusable operating unit. This segmentation allows the insertion unit to be discarded after use, improving hygiene management efficiency without requiring complex cleaning and sterilization processes for the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the insertion unit and operating unit. This coupling mechanism includes wire retaining structures that automatically hold the wires in place during attachment and detachment, simplifying the wire connection process and reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional wire connection structure is used for detachable parts, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but manipulation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Wire frames serve as intermediary structures that facilitate precise wire alignment and positioning during the attachment of detachable parts. These frames guide the wires into correct positions, ensuring manipulation precision while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates adjustable parameters such as wire tension and positioning that can be modified to achieve precise manipulation. By changing these parameters during assembly, the system maintains high precision without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy coupling and precise manipulation of the endoscope parts, improving hygiene management and operational efficiency by allowing for simple and accurate control of the insertion tube.
Implementation Method 1
a pinion gear and a rack gear, and a coupling plate to which the rack gear is coupled and detachably coupled to the insertion part
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an endoscope, including: an insertion part including a lighting imaging unit and an insertion tube; and a manipulation part including a manipulation knob and a manipulation wire configured to bend and operate the insertion tube according to manipulation of the manipulation knob, and the manipulation part may include: a coupling part coupled to the insertion part according to a rotation of a dial provided to be rotatably operable, thereby there is an effect that the operator may easily couple the insertion part and the manipulation part to each other through a simple manipulation of turning the dial.